USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 58
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"WHEREAS, To us the sudden dispensation may seem dark and inscrutable, and, trusting as we do in the guardian kindness of Him who ' holds the Nations in the hollow of His hand;' therefore, be it
"Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Springfield, That we, in common with every true American heart, deplore the sad calamity befallen us as a people, and join the universal sorrow that hangs upon the Nation to-day, like the pall of death.
"Resolved, That in this terrible hour of sad- ness and gloom, when darkness shadows the counsels and judgments of men, and a strange
and unnatural fear is chilling every heart, and fearful forebodings of coming disaster gather gloomily about us, it becomes us to turn trust- ingly and hopefully to the God of Nations, and in humbleness and humility receive the stroke of His chastening rod; but yet feeling an abiding faith that in this, the hour of our desolation, that Ile will be to us, for all time to come, "'as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."
"Resolved, That although the murderons hand of treason has stricken to death the chosen Ex- ecutive of the Government, yet the Government itself 'still lives,' and will live, as the glorious embodiment of political life, liberty, and human hope.
"Resolved, That we, the Common Council of the City of Springfield, deeply sympathize with the bereaved family, and much deplore the heavy loss which they have sustained in the unexpected and sudden death of a husband and father.
"Resolved, That the City Council Chamber be clothed in mourning for sixty days.
"Resolved, That the members of the City Council wear the usual badge of mourning for sixty days."
On a preceding page is given the address of the martyr President on taking his departure for Washington. The scene at the depot was an impressive one. The simple and touching elo- quence of the great and good man saddened every heart and moistened every eye, and many turned away, as the train moved off, with mis- givings and forebodings for the future. He was as he said, "going to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon Washington." The oppressive sadness which seemed to hang over him was shared by many friends. There seemed to be prophecy in the last sentence of his speech -" With these few words I must leave you, for how long I know not. Many felt that they were portentous of the dreadful death which at last overtook him. Mr. Lincoln never re- turned to the city of his adoption alive.
" Bow low your heads, Prone on the earth, and grovel in the dust! Bow low your heads-
The last sad tribute to the good and just ! Bow low your heads! The greatest grief that e'er befell mankind Lies on the heart, and preys upon the mind!
" Weep for the loss,
O Freedom! of thy greatest champion. Weep for the loss,
O Greatness! of thy brightest diadem. Weep for thy loss,
O Honesty and Truth! O Patriot Worth! Thy loss and ours-the loss of all the earth.
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"A Nation's tears
Bedew the bier whereon his dust doth lay; A Nation's tears Are hallowed in their contact with his clay. A Nation's tears From it's deep heart upwell in bitter woe. Nor seeks to check their still increasing flow.
" O Martyr pure,
Thy country's altar's sanctified anew; O martyr pure, Slain for thy love and faith unto the true. O martyr pure, As thou hast died for Freedom, so do we, Her children, dedicate our lives to thee!"
On Wednesday, April 19, the funeral obse- quies of President Lincoln occurred in Wash- ington. In accordance with the recommenda- tions of the Acting Secretary of State at Washi- ington, and the proclamation of Governor Oglesby, services for the purpose of solemnizing the occasion, were held at the First Presbyterian, Second Presbyterian, Third Presbyterian, Meth- odist Episcopal, North Baptist, German Catholic, English Lutheran and First Baptist Churches. All places of business were closed.
It having been announced that the remains of Mr. Lincoln would be brought to Springfield for interment, in accordance with a universally ex- pressed desire, it was arranged that the funeral train should make stops at several points on the road in order to give the people an opportunity of viewing the lifeless body of him who was of the people, and whom the people loved. At Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus, Indian- apolis and Chicago, many thousands turned out, public and private buildings were draped in mourning, and such honors were paid to the dead as were never given any hero of ancient or modern times.
Extensive preparations were made in Spring- field to receive and deposit in their last resting place the remains of one they loved so well. Thursday, May 4th, was appointed for the fun- eral. On the previous day the long funeral train arrived. Never was there a day in the an- nals of the city so fraught with solemn interest. A day in which the remains of the beloved Chief Magistrate of a great people were returned to the midst of his friends and neighbors, who loved and revered him through a long life, for final sepulchre. All former demonstrations on the death of great and good men were insig- nificant compared with the grief and sorrow on this occasion. The day broke bright and beau- tiful upon the vast crowds which at an early hour had sought the city to witness the return
of all that was mortal of the late President. Long previous to the time appointed for the ar- rival of the remains, crowds of people, number- ing thousands, were gathered at the Chicago & Alton depot, and along the line of the road for a long distance. Every building and house-top in the vicinity was covered with anxious and solemn men, eager to see the funeral train. Never was there such an assemblage gathered under such solemn circumstances. Every class was represented in the throng of human beings and intense was the feeling and anxiety that had called them together.
Previous to the arrival of the funeral train, minute guns were being fired by a section of Battery K, Second Missouri Light Artillery. The deep booming of the guns gave a solemn interest to the scene.
The funeral train had been announced to ar- rive at 8 o'clock a. m., but did not make its ap- pearance until a few minutes before 9 o'clock. When the "pilot engine," dressed in mourning, made its appearance, which was understood to precede the funeral train by ten minutes, the feelings of the people were intense, but only manifested by the almost breathless silence which pervaded the vast crowd.
Just previous to the arrival of the train, which consisted of nine cars beautifully draped in mourning, one of which contained the remains of the late President, the committee of recep- tion, the military, and the members of the sev- eral delegations made their appearance and formed according to programme on Jefferson street, under direction of General Cook. The remains were then transferred from the funeral car to the beautiful hearse tendered by the Mayor of St. Louis to the Mayor of Springfield, drawn by six superb black horses, draped in mourning and wearing plumes upon their crests. The hearse was also draped, the corners being sur- mounted with black plumes, the whole present- ing a solemn and magnificent spectacle.
After the procession was formed it proceeded to the Hall of Representatives, where the ca- tafalque, resting on the dais underneath the canopy, and opened by the embalmer, after which the guard of honor took their stations around the remains, guards being placed in va- rious parts of the hall and at the entrances. The coffin, when opened, revealed the marked and well-known features of the noble dead, which wore a calm expression,-and had it not been for a slight discoloration of the face, it would have appeared as though he had "fallen into a a quiet sleep."
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At a few minutes past ten o'clock a. m., the arrangements having been completed, the vast crowd was admitted to review the remains. In doing so, they entered at the north entrance of the capitol, and passing through the Hall, along the side and around the head of the coffin, thence into the rotunda, leaving by the south door. It was estimated that twenty-five thousand persons entered the Hall in the course of ten hours.
The scene inside the Hall was most solemn and impressive; the elegance and appropriate- ness of the decorations, the rich catafalque un- derneath a splendid canopy, the silent dead, the officers and guard, making up a sad picture. The decorations were in most excellent taste; the general arrangement being such as to make them correspond with the room, which is a semi-circu- collonade of eleven Corinthian columns, support- ing a half-dome, the straight side being toward the west, in the centre of which was the Speak- er's chair (which was removed for the occasion). At the apex of the dome was a rising sun, radi- ating to the circumference. On the floor a dais was erected, ascended by three steps; on the dais, a hexagon canopy supported on columns twelve feet high, the shaft covered with black velvet, the capitals wrought in white velvet, with silver bands and fillets; the canopy rising seven feet in the centre, tent-shaped, covered with heavy black broadcloth in radiating slack folds, surmounted at the apex and at each angle with heavy black plumes with white centre, with draped eagle on the center of each crown- mould; the cornice, corresponding with the cap- itals, covered with black velvet, the moulding and bands of silver; the lining of the canopy was of white crepe, in radiating folds over blue, thick set with stars of silver, with black velvet and silver fillets inside the cornice; between columns a rich velvet valance, in folds, with heavy silver fringe, from under which depended velvet curtains extending from each column two-thirds of the distance from the capitals to the cornice, looped with bands, the whole so disposed as to exhibit both columns and cap- itals inside and out. The effect of the canopy, with its supports and drapery, was very impos- ing, the whole being unique and elegant, com- bining lightness with massiveness with great effect. Twelve brilliant jets of gas, burning in globes, shining from the columns, lit the in- terior, reflecting from the folds of the canopy a soft and pleasing light.
The catafalque was covered with black velvet, trimmed with silver bands, and adorned with thirty-six stars of burnished silver-twelve at
the head, and twelve at each side. The floor of the dais was covered with evergreens strewn with white flowers. The steps of the dais were covered with massive broadcloth drapery, bor- dered with silver.
The columns of the Hall were draped with black crepe, and the capitals festooned and en- twined with the same, and ornamented with rosettes. The cornice was appropriately draped, and bearing around the entire circumference, in large, white letters, on a black ground, the words of President Lincoln at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, February 22, 1861: "SOONER THAN SURRENDER THESE PRINCIPLES, I WOULD BE ASSASSINATED ON THE SPOT." In front of the gallery, were black velvet panels, nine feet by two and a half, having silver bands and fringe, with crossed olive branches in the center. Above the gallery were looped curtains of black crepe, extending around the semi-circle. Below the gallery were white crepe curtains, with black looped upon it. Each column was ornamented by a beautiful wreath of evergreens and white flowers.
On the top of the gallery, and extending around, was a wreath of evergreens. The Cor- inthian cornice is continued on the west, at cach side, twenty-three feet, toward the center, sup- ported by pillars of the same order, the space between being surmounted by an obtuse arch, reaching within one foot of the apex, projecting six inches, leaving a depression resembling a panel, thirty-three feet wide by thirty-seven feet high at the extreme height. In the upper por- tion of this was placed a blue semi-circular field, sixteen feet across, bearing stars six inches in diameter, and from which radiated the thirteen stripes of the American flag in delicate crepe, two feet wide at the circumference of the blue field, increasing in width to five feet at the ex- treme lower angle, breaking on the dais below, and the pilasters on either side, the whole sur- mounted by cloud work in blue and black crepe, and so disposed as to correspond with the blue field, stars, and radiated panel of the ceiling. The center red stripe falls opposite the opening in the curtains at the head of the catafalque. On the cornice, each side of the flag work, were placed two mottoes, corresponding to that on the semi circular cornice, forming together one, in these words: "WASHINGTON THE FATHER; LINCOLN THE SAVIOR." A life-sized portrait of Washington, the frame draped in blue crepe, stood at the head of the catafalque. The in- terior decorations were perfected under the di- rection of G. F. Wright, the catafalque by
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Colonel Schwartz, and the exterior of the build- ing by E. E. Myers.
The coffin was probably the handsomest ever constructed in this country. It was mahogany, lined with lead, and covered with black cloth of the richest and most expensive quality, heavily fringed with silver, with four silver medalions on each side in which were set the handles. The outside of the coffin was festooned with massive silver tacks, representing drapery, in each fold of which was a silver star, the outer edges adorned with silver braid, with five tas- sels, tive inches in length, each side having upon it four massive handles, and at the head and foot were stars. Upon the top was a row of silver tacks, extending the entire length on both sides, about two inches from the edge. Upon the center was a silver plate encircled by a shield, formed also of silver tacks, and the face lid and top were united with five silver stars. The inside of the face lid was raised white satin, the centre piece being trimmed with black and white silk braid festooned at each corner with four silver stars.
The buildings around the public square, and a large majority of the private residences of the city, were beautifully draped, manifesting the sorrow of the people at the tragic death of a loved one. The late President's house was tastefully decorated with the National mourn- ing colors and evergreens. It was visited by many visitors from abroad. The following poem, without credit, was published in the Journal :
" LINCOLN! thy Country's Savior, hail! We bid thee welcome, but bewail; Welcome unto thy chosen home; Triumphant, glorious dost thou come.
" Before the rebels struck the blow That laid thee in a moment low, God gave thy wish: it was to see OUR UNION SAFE, OUR COUNTRY FREE.
" A country where the gospel truth Shall reach the heart of age and youth, And move, unchained, in majesty, A model land of liberty.
" When Jacob's bones, from Egypt borne, Regained their home, the people mourn, Great mourning then at Ephron's cave, Both Abraham's and Isaac's grave.
" Far greater is the mourning now; Our land one emblem wide of woe; And where thy coffin-car appears, Do not the people throng in tears?
" Thy triumph of a thousand miles, Like eastern conqueror with his spoils- A million hearts thy captive led, All weeping for their Chieftain dead.
" Thy chariot, moved with eagle's speed Without the aid of prancing steed, Has brought thee to thy destined tomb; Springfield, thy home, will give thee room.
" LINCOLN, the martyr, welcome home! What lessons blossom on thy tomb? In God's pure truth and law delight, With firm unwavering soul, do right.
"Be condescending, kind and just; In God's wisc counsels put thy trust. Let no proud soul e'er dare rebel, Moved by vile passion sprung from hell.
" Come, sleep with us in sweet repose, Till we, as Christ from death arose, Shall in His glorious image rise To dwell with Him beyond the skies."
The crowd in Springfield on this occasion was very great. Thousands could not obtain a place to lay their head during the long night of Wednesday, May 3. All night long the sound of tramping feet was heard upon the pavement as the weary night watches wore away. The in- terest to see the remains was unparalleled, and ere it was light upon Thursday morning, the crowd was pressing in long columns toward Representatives Hall. At about 10 o'clock, a. m., the coffin was closed, and the beloved feat- ures were shut out from the people forever. While these preparations were being made a choir of two hundred and fifty singers assem- bled on the steps of the Capitol, and under the direction of Professor Meissner, sang "Peace, troubled soul," by Paesillo. The harmony was very fine and it had a solemn but pleasing effect. As the remains were being brought out of the Capitol to be placed in the hearse, the choir sang with fine effect, Pleyel's hymn, "Children of the Heavenly King."
After the remains were placed in the hearse, the procession was formed and wended its way to Oak Ridge Cemetery. It was one of the most imposing ever seen in this country. On its arrival at the cemetery, the remains were placed in the tomb, after which the choir sang the "Dead March in Saul"-"Unveil thy Bo- som." Rev. Albert Hale then made an eloquent, feeling and appropriate prayer, after which the choir sung the following dirge, composed for the occasion. Music by George F. Root; words by L. M. Dawes. It was sung with much feel- ing and effect:
FAREWELL, FATHER, FRIEND AND GUARDIAN.
" All our land is draped in mourning, Hearts are bowed and strong men weep; For our loved, our noble leader, Sleeps his last, his dreamless sleep. Gone forever, gone forever,
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Fallen by a traitor's hand; Though preserv'd his dearest treasure, Our redeem'd beloved land. Rest in peace.
"Through our night of bloody struggle, Ever dauntless, firm and true, Bravely, gently forth he led us, Till the morn burst on our view- Till he saw the day of triumph, Saw the field our heroes won; Then his honor'd life was ended, Then his glorious work was done. Rest in peace.
" When from mountain, hill and valley, To their homes our brave boys come, When with welcome notes we greet them; Song and cheer and peeling drum; When we miss our loved ones fallen, When to weep we turn aside;
Then for him our tears shall mingle, He has suffered-he has died. Rest in peace.
" Honor'd leader, long and fondly Shall thy mem'ry cherished be; Hearts shall bless thee for their freedom, Hearts unborn shall sigh for thec; He who gave thee might and wisdom, Gave thy spirit sweet release; Farewell, Father, friend and guardian, Rest forever, rest in peace. Rest in peace."
A portion of Scripture was then read by Rev. N. W. Miner, after which the choir sang, " To Thee, O Lord," from Oratorio of St. Paul. The President's last Inaugural was read by Rev. A. C. Hubbard, when the choir sang the dirge, "As when Thy cross was bleeding," by Otto. At the conclusion of the singing, Bishop Simp- son delivered a most eloquent funeral oration, which was listened to with marked attention, and at its conclusion, "Over the Valley the Angels Smile," was sung. After a few remarks by Dr. Gurley, the following hymn and doxology was sung:
FUNERAL HYMN.
" Rest, noble martyr! rest in peace; Rest with the true and brave, Who, like thee, fell in Freedom's canse, The Nation's life to save.
" Thy name shall live while time endures, And men shall say of thee,
' He saved his country from its foes, And bade the slave be free.'
" These deeds shall be thy monument, Better than brass or stone;
They leave thy fame in glory's light, Unrival'd and alone.
" This consecrated spot shall be To Freedom ever dear.
And Freedom's sons of every race Shall weep and worship here.
"O God! before whom we, in tears, Our fallen Chief deplore;
Grant that the cause, for which he died, May live for evermore."
DOXOLOGY. "To the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, To God whom we adore, Be glory as it was, is now, And shall be evermore."
After benediction by Rev. P. D. Gurley, the troops and the fire department re-formed and marched back to the city, where they were dis- missed to their respective headquarters. Thus ended the obsequios of the late President Abra- ham Lincoln.
THE END.
While the funeral obsequies of President Lin- coln were taking place, our armies were fast gathering around the rebel hosts, and seldom a day passed but more or less of them were eap- tured. Jeff Davis, the rebel chief, fled from the capital of the Confederacy, Lee was a prisoner, and Johnston surrounded. A few days more and both Davis and Johnston were captured, and with their capture the Confederacy collapsed. Regiment after regiment of Illinois troops were dispatched to Camp Butler for final payment, and discharged during the summer and early fall. A royal welcome did they receive. The noble ladies of Springfield who labored earnestly and zealously to relieve their wants while in the field, now sought to show their regard by kind and thoughtful attention on their return. On the fourth day of July it was planned to cele- brate the day by a public reception and welcome to the returning soldiers. On that day, at an early hour, people began to arrive from the sur- rounding country, and by nine o'clock the streets wore the appearance of a gala-day. About half past nine oclock, a train of forty cars, drawn by two locomotives, filled with soldiers from Camp Butler, arrived in Springfield, where. after forming in line, they marched to the square, and from thence to Wright's Grove, west of the city. On arriving at the Grove, the soldiers were marched to the speakers' stand, when after prayer by Rev. Albert Hale, J. C. Conkling, President of the day, introduced Gov- ernor Oglesby, who spoke substantially as fol- lows:
" Mr. President, Fellow Soldiers and Fellow Citizens :- The pleasant duty of extending a welcome to these brave soldiers has devolved upon me, and when this duty is performed you will listen to a prayer and oration; and when this part is over, the fair ladies and citizens of
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this place have cordially invited you to a good dinner, if not our best in all respeets, it is good for the stomach. On the 4th day of July, 1860, found ns at peace with all the world and ourselves. We had been progressing in every- thing that constitutes a great people. Intellec- tual and material wealth had made us one of the first Nations of the earth.
"The 4th day of July, 1861, found us at peace with the world but at war with ourselves. This year thirteen States, under the erroneous doc- trine of State rights, that a man's allegiance to his State took precedence of his allegiance to his Government, seceded from the Union, on what they called the ordinance of secession. On the 21st day of July, we stood dishonored be- fore the world by the events of Bull Run. Our beautiful and loved flag was dishonored and trailed in the dust.
"The 4th of July, 1862, found us in better condition. We had captured Fort Donelson, had obtained possession of Kentneky, most of Tennessee, and had opened the Mississippi river two hundred and forty miles below Cairo. A large number of the bravest and best men of the country bad responded to their country's call and had gone forth to fight its battles.
"The 4th of July, 1863, found us in posses- sion of Vicksburg; we had won the battle of Gettysburg, and taken many important points. The disgrace of Bull Run had been wiped from our flag, and the seven days' battle and defeat had been wiped out, the rebels had been whip- ped. We now held the rebels by the neek by a eord of American soldiers, and they were pulling the cord at both ends."
Continuing, the Governor spoke in glowing and eloquent terms of the 4th of July, 1864, when Grant swept the country, and with the army of the Potomac, held the rebels as in a vise. The fourth of July, 1865, was glorious. Glory to God, said he, for the grandeur and hap- piness of our condition; and thanks to the brave men as instruments in carrying forward the great work of redeeming the country. Their names were written in the hearts of a grateful people, and should be inscribed on tablets of marble and of iron in testimony of their great and glorious services. He welcomed them home from the bottom of his heart-he welcomed them home in the name of the city and its brave and generous people. His duty was done; he did not come to advise them in relation to their deport- ment, or to tell them to be good citizens, but to tell them they were among men and women who respected and honored them as the brave defend-
ers of their country. Without the presence of the brave soldiers, the people would not be so happy to-day. He referred in eloquent terms to the principles of the Declaration of Independ- ence, and asked them if they could stand upon the platform therein contained, as applied to rebels and traitors? We will hold them, he said, as we hold the rest of mankind: enemies in war; in peace, friends. As for himself, he was not exactly prepared for it-not exactly cool enough-could not adopt it just then. For the last four years they had been at war; they were his enemies, and he would think about adopting the sentiment hereafter. He elosed his remarks amid the greatest applause.
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